Every now and again you'll read an article in the paper that restores your faith in the U.S. political system. But more often, you read something that does the opposite.
A bill signed into law recently by Gov. Janet Napolitano will require any DUI offender - extreme or not, to have an ignition interlock device placed on their vehicle. The device acts as a breathalyzer before the driver can start the engine. The law will also go into play for first-time offenders.
Now, whether you agree with this law or not, that's not really the issue at hand. The issue at hand is that shortly after Napolitano signed the bill, there was talk of changes being made.
With one last DUI bill that could pass through the legislature before the session ended, Rep. John Kavanagh R-Fountain Hills attached an amendment that would repeal the law from effecting first-time offenders unless they caused an accident.
In the end, the bill failed and the DUI law will stay as it is. But the question arises of why would something Kavanagh originally voted for be contested so shortly after becoming law?
There's no good reason.
If the liquor lobbyists put pressure on Kavanagh or other legislators, or if they simply didn't do their research before voting, either option isn't good.
Sure, legislators have a lot to read and probably can't get to everything, but doesn't it seem somewhat important to know what you're voting about?
Maybe there's a third option, but from other columns and articles, it seems to be pinned down to ignorance or corruption. Luckily, no harm was done in the end.
Even if you're opposed to the new law, you should feel good that the political system sort of worked.
Arizona has had plenty of recent press that has marred the state's political image.
Rep. Rick Renzi R-Ariz., had his family business raided by the FBI in April following an investigation that the congressman had voted in favor of bills that would benefit his father's business.
Former republican Rep. JD Hayworth also was surrounded in whispers of corruption tied to payments to his wife and Jack Abramoff.
In a country where all you have to say is "I don't recall" and you're home free from a major political scandal, it's nice that there are still a few occasions of things going right.
